I think it does AF on the D5000. I almost got it, but I am never sure about the 3rd party quality/durability. All the reviews of the lens say it is very good, but I really wanted to the Nikon 105 F2.8 so I got it instead. With all the options that Nikon now has for macro lenses...I would get one of them instead. All are sharp and perform great...plus the Tamron is $500 new which you can get all of the Nikon lenses for around that price minus the 105 F2.8.